Core Courses (CORE)

Civil Procedure concerns the rules and principles that govern the litigation of a civil case. The course addresses systemic issues related to how and where a lawsuit is filed including: personal and subject matter jurisdiction; venue; the notice required once a lawsuit has been filed; and which substantive law-- state or federal--should apply in federal court. The course also familiarizes the student with the stages of a lawsuit including: pleading; structuring the lawsuit; discovery; termination of a lawsuit without trial; trial; and actions that may be taken after a jury verdict or bench trial. Although reference is made to state laws, the course concentrates on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Elements of Law orients students to legal research and reasoning through caselaw, statutory interpretation, and legal history, processes, and institutions. The course covers topics across many substantive areas of law, and addresses legal methodology as it arises in the legal profession.

This course examines the roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in determining limits of national and state powers and protection of the individual and civil rights provided in the United States Constitution.

Contracts is concerned with the formation of contracts. The traditional offer and acceptance are analyzed in light of problems presented by modern bargaining techniques. Voidability of contracts formed by fraud, mistake, illegality, and unconscionable advantage is also stressed. The performance of contracts and the parol evidence rule are discussed.

Criminal Procedure explores part of the interface between the criminal justice system and the United States Constitution. It introduces students to constitutional analysis by examining key provisions of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments as they apply to police investigation and interrogation as well as the circumstances under which indigent defendants are guaranteed the assistance of counsel.

The primary goal of the Legal Research Tools and Strategies course is to familiarize first year students with the process of discovering, evaluating, critically analyzing, and applying sources of American legal authority used by lawyers to understand facts and resolve issues.

This course deals with what is called substantive criminal law, i.e. crimes. Numerous crimes such as homicide, theft, and conspiracy are examined, and defenses such as self-defense and insanity are scrutinized. A primary focus of the course is the utilization and interpretation of criminal statutes.

Applied Legal Analysis & Writing (ALAW) I introduces first year students to analyzing and writing about clients' legal issues.

ALAW II continues to build on the skills learned in ALAW I, but now students will be learning to be an advocate for a fictional client.

This course introduces the basic concepts and principles in the law of property. Topics include: acquisition and allocation of property rights; restrictions on owners' rights to use, limit access to, and sell or dispose of their property; and the relationships among multiple owners of rights in the same property. The emphasis is on real property, although the course also addresses intellectual property and other types of personal property.

Tort law seeks to remedy civil wrongs that result in harm to person or property. The class will focus on basic concepts such as the international torts, negligence, strict liability, and products liability.

In Problem Solving I, students work through a series of problems to practice skills that lawyers use to begin and maintain relationships with clients. The clients may be individuals, corporations or government. Working with practicing lawyers and law school faculty, students interview a client to determine the facts of the case and to understand the client's goals. Students work collaboratively to discover the relevant law, to assess the client's options and to communicate the legal strategy to the client. Students also observe an actual legal proceeding.

The Problem Solving II course is designed to teach students to think, write, and speak like lawyers. Students learn to solve clients' problems by using effective research techniques, accurate and in-depth legal analysis, and clear and concise written and oral communication. Students will learn essential skills of successful lawyers, including researching legal authorities, applying the law to a client's situation, and communication that analysis in writing and verbally. The focus of Problem Solving II is on objective analysis and writing. Students learn to draft the primary tool for communicating objective analysis, which is the office memorandum.

Problem Solving III builds on the skills learned in Problem Solving I & II. Problem Solving III focuses on persuasive writing. Students learn to draft documents that are submitted to a court called "briefs" or "memoranda of law." Students also present an oral argument to a court. Problem Solving III continues to receive individualized feedback throuhgout the course.

Through the use of hypothetical situations, this course attempts to generate student sensitivity to ethical problems faced by lawyers in various kinds of practice. The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the older Code of Professional Responsibility are the basic tools, but discussion centers as well on case law, ABA opinions and standards, statutes, and the dictates of conscience. Discipline and professional malpractice are also treated.

This course will introduce students to the contexts in which lawyers work. Students will be exposed to the transnational and international principles that are a mainstay of the practice of law in the 21st century. They will also learn more about the diverse practice settings and substantive areas in which they may choose to use their law degree. As a result, students will be able to make more informed choices about elective courses and better position themselves for success in the job market.

This course will focus on the additional skills that a student will need, beyond substantive legal knowledge, in order to be an effective and valued lawyer. Drawing upon some of the latest research as well as input from our prominent alumni, the course will introduce students to the extra-legal competencies that are needed to succeed in a competitive marketplace, including teamwork skills, project management, cultural competency, and familiarity with certain basic business concepts.

This course systematically introduces the analytical protocols for the three primary elements of law utilized by lawyers in arguing on behalf of their clients: case precedents, codes/statutes and facts.